Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of In re : News item published in The Hindustan Times dated 17.06.2021, titled “Blast in firecracker unit in Maharashtra’s Palghar, at least 10 injured” dated 25/06/2021.

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The matter related to a blast inside a fire cracker factory owned by Vishal Fireworks in Dehane village, Palghar district, Maharashtra. The blast injured 10 workers.

The Maharashtra State Legal Service Authority was asked by the NGT to provide legal aid to the nine persons, who received burn injuries - so that the compensation amount entitled to them, reaches them without undue hassle. The NGT said that hazardous activities must be regulated in terms of quantity of material to be used in the process of hazardous activities, number of persons to be allowed to work and safeguards to be followed and monitoring compliance of such safeguards.

The Tribunal directed the Director of Industrial Safety in coordination with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board to conduct a study of the potential for accidental, occupational and environmental hazards from such activities in the state. The study would include the number of units to be allowed, size of operation of such units, quantity of material to be used, siting criteria for location of the units, arrangement for fire management and health services. The report has to be submitted to the Chief Secretary, Maharashtra for further action.